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CRUISE OF THE U. S. BRIG ARGUS 

IN 1813 



JOURNAL OF 

SURGEON JAMES INDERWICK 



EDITED FROM THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT IN THE NEW YORK 
PUBLIC LIBRARY WITH AN INTRODUCTION AND NOTES 

By victor HUGO PALTSITS 

CHIEF OF THE AMERICAN HISTORY DIVISION 
AND KEEPER OF MANUSCRIPTS 



THE NEW YORK 

PUBLIC LIBRARY 

I917 






CRUISE OF THE U. S. BRIG ARGUS 

IN 1813 ^^-,, 



JOURNAL OF 

SURGEON JAMES INDERWICK 



EDITED FROM THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT IN THE NEW YORK 
PUBLIC LIBRARY WITH AN INTRODUCTION AND NOTES 

By victor HUGO PALTSITS 

CHIEF OF THE AMERICAN HISTORY DIVISION 
AND KEEPER OF MANUSCRIPTS 



THE NEW YORK 
PUBLIC LIBRARY 

I917 






Reprinted August 1917 

FROM THE 

Bulletin of The New York Public Library 
OF June 1917 



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ENGRAVED 15 Y DAVID EDWIN 
Frontispiece to "The Port Folio." January, 1814 



CRUISE OF THE U. S. BRIG ARGUS IN 1813^ 
Journal of Surgeon James Inderwick 



INTRODUCTION 

THE original niaiuiscripi journal of Dr. James Inderwick was presented 
recently to The New York Public Library by the Governors of the So- 
ciety of the New ^'ork Hospital. It occupies forty- four j^ages of a small folio 
register, beginning on the first page with the heading: "Report of Sick on 
board U. S. ^iUg Argus W. H. Allen Esq. Com'^^" followed by the first entry 
on Tuesday. May 11. 1813. The last entry is Saturday, August 21, of the 
same year. The remaining 110 pages of the register are mostly blank, but 
some have pharmaceutical or other accounts, written during the years 1819, 
1824, and 1827 to 1831, w-hich have no relation to Inderwick or to the naval 
record. On a front flyleaf there is a calculation of the persons on board 
the Argus, consisting of "Officers & men 150. Passengers 3. P[assengers'] 
Servants 2 — 155 Souls." 

In the matriculation register of Columbia College James Inderwick is 
registered as a student in the school of arts, graduating .\. \\. in 1808. He is 
also registered as a student in the medical school in 1808-1809. taking courses 
in anatomy and chemistry. He received his master's degree elsewhere and 
pursued his medical course; but it has not been determined whether he con- 
tinued at some other medical school or became associated w^ith some physician. 
His name does not appear in the New York directories; there is no further 
record of him at Columbia, and he is not registered at the then newly-organized 
College of Physicians and Surgeons. His two autographs in the register of 
Columbia College leave no doubt that the naval journal was written by him. 
notwithstanding that his name nowhere appears in the journal itself. Dr. 
Inderwick was house surgeon at the New York Hospital from February. 1812, 
to February, 1813. In May. 1813, he was attached to the Brig Argus, and 
on July 24th, while on the cruise, was commissioned a surgeon in the navy 
of the United States, appearing as no. 18 in a list of nineteen named on that 
date.- In 1814 he was still credited as employed as a surgeon, singularly 
enough as of the Argus} In 1814. the British Brig Epcrvicr had been cap- 



' The publication of this account may not be considered inappropriate, in view of the international 
events that are now taking place in the same waters that were cruised by the Argus over a century ago. 

-American State Pafcrs — Naval Affairs. 1:301. 

^ Ibid. 348. Being held as a prisoner of war in England, his name on the U. S. navy list naturally 
associated him with his last assignment. 

[3 ] 



4 THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY 

tured and added to the navy of the United States. Inderwick was her surgeon 
in 1815, when, after passing through the Straits of Gibraltar, she was lost 
at sea with all aboard. It is believed that his manuscript journal of the Argus 
was left at the New York Hospital after his return from England and before 
his entrance upon the last fatal cruise in the Epervicr. 

From Dr. Inderwick's record we are able to conclude that, on the whole, 
the health of the crew of the Argus was very good. There were on the sick 
list from eight to seventeen, and usually about a dozen men. numbers of 
whom were soon able to return to duty. 

The brig Argus was built at Boston, in 1803, by Edmund Hart. She 
had a tonnage of 298; the length of her keel was 80 feet; the breadth of her 
beam was 20 feet, and the depth of her hold was 12 feet and 8 inches.'* From 
a record of 1806. it appears that she had cost originally $37,428.29.^ She 
then carried sixteen guns, the highest number of any brig in the navy.^ In 
1803 she went to the ^lediterranean; was in the harbor of Tripoli, in August, 
1804. with 121 men commanded by Lieutenant Isaac Hull, in the American 
squadron under Commodore Edward Preble. That year and the next she 
had repairs made to her in the Mediterranean. She was repaired in ]\Iarch. 
1808, at Norfolk, \'a., and again in March. 1809, at the navy yard in New 
York. These repairs cost more than $19,000.^ In 1811. she had her new 
berth deck calked, her bottom hove out, calked and coppered, at a cost of 
$13,000.*^ In June. 1812. with a complement of 120 men. she was under 
Master Commandant Arthur Sinclair. In Ocotober. of that year, she was 
stationed in the North Atlantic under the same commander. Later Sinclair 
was given a leave to visit his friends and, by order of Commodore Decatur, 
was superseded in the command of the Argus by Lieutenant William Henry 
Allen. 

William Henry Allen' was born at Providence, R. I., on October 21, 
1784, son of William Allen, an officer during the American Revolution, 
who, in 1786. was appointed by C(^ngress senior officer of the legionary corps, 
intended to be raised in Rhode Island, and who became, by legislative appoint- 
ment of 1799, brigadier-general of militia of that State. The father, whilst 
a major in the Revolution, is said to have had "for a short time, the charge 
of the unfortunate Andre," sitting up witli him "the whole night previous 



* Niles' Weekly Register, V:230. 

^American Stale Paf^evs — Naval Affairs, 1:149. 
'Ibid, 154. Later she carried eighteen guns. 
' Ibid, 2.S3. 
» Ibid, 335. 

• The particulars of his biography, unless otherwise noted, have been tatcen from the excellent 
memoir in The Port Folio. 3d series, vol. 3, no. 1 (January, 1S14), published at Philadelphia, by Bradford 
and Inskcep. 



CRUISE OF THK U. S. BRIG ARGUS IN 1813 5 

to his execution." William Henry Allen's mother was a sister of William 
Jones, the governor of Rhode Island during the War of 1812. From such 
a stock patriots are expected and the son's career fulfilled the tradition. His 
parents had intended him inv a liberal education; he got through with his 
preparatory studies, but yearned for a more active life and. on April 28, 1800. 
as a midshipman, entered the navy of the United States, against the remon- 
strances of his parents. Within three months he was on board the frigate 
George Washington, commanded by William Bainbridge, destined to Algiers.^" 
On April 10, 1801. he came back with Commodore Bainbridge and about a 
week later was ordered to the PhiladelpJiia, commanded by Captain Samuel 
Barron, "to scour the Mediterranean sea again." This ship returned on June 
27, 1802, and Allen had only a short furlough, for in October he went on 
a third cruise of the Mediterranean, this time in the frigate John Adams, 
commanded by Captain Rodgers. from which he returned in December. 1803. 
Early in 1804. Allen was appointed sailing-master of the frigate Congress, 
then at Washington, and sailed in her on July 1st. under Captain Rodgers, 
for another Mediterranean voyage. On the way out. in the midst of a storm, 
while he was aiding the sailors on the foreyard, Allen was thrown "headlong 
into the sea, to a depth of twenty feet," saving himself only by taking hold of 
the mizzen chains as he arose. Reaching the harbor of Tripoli, Allen assisted 
Rodgers in taking soundings, preparatory to an anticipated attack. This 
hazardous job was ended during a gale from which they made a narrow 
escape to the Nautilus. The cruise lasted from 1804 to 1806. In October. 
1805, Rodgers removed to the frigate Constitution and became commander 
of the squadron. Allen going with him as third lieutenant. It was during 
this cruise that he and Commodore Rodgers became lost in the fields of lava 
while visiting Mt. /Etna, only to loe rescued by monks from a monastery 
below. The Constitution returned to the United States in 1806. Allen was 
given shore leave and seized the occasion to visit his friends at Providence. 
In February. 1807, he was ordered to the frigate Chesapeake, as third lieu- 
tenant, imder Captain Barron. He was in the engagement with the British 
ship Leopard, in June of that year, and showed his mettle by snatching a coal 
from the flames, firing the only gun set off before his superior ordered 
a premature and humiliating surrender. For this misconduct Barron was 
subsequently condemned. Allen remained with the Chesapeake until Febru- 
ary, 1809. when he was ordered aboard the frigate United States, commanded 
by Commodore Stephen Decatur. Allen was with this frigate when, on 
October 25. 1812. she captured the British frigate Macedonian, and he had 



" This frigate was the first one to fly the American flag in the harbor of Constantinople. 



6 THE XEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY 

the honor of bringing the prize ship into the port of Xew York. Decatur, 
in his report to the Secretary of the Xavy, particularly singled out Allen for 
notice and attributed the superior gunnery in the action to Allen's ''unremitted 
exertions in disciplining the crew." ^^ In the festivities provided by the corpo- 
ration and citizens of Xew York in honor of the event. Allen had a full share 
with his superior officer. He then got a respite and visited home and friends. 
It was, however, of short duration, and he was soon in command of the bris" 
Argus, in succession to Captain Arthur Sinclair. His first lieutenant on 
the Argus was William H. Watson, and his second lieutenant was William 
Howard Allen, ^- not a relative; so that, singularly enough, the three officers 
l)ore exactly the same initials in their given names and two of them had similar 
family names. ^-^ 

When the Journal of Surgeon Inderwick was begun, on May 11. 1813, the 
Argus lay at anchor near Sandy Hook; on the 17th she was near Staten Island, 
and on the 18th in the X^arrows; from May 19th- June 17th. she lay off Xew 
York, and on the 18th was under sail at Sandy Hook. From June 19th- July 
10th at sea. she sighted land on July 11th, and was at Port Louis L'Orient, 
France, from July 12-20. The remainder of her cruise until her capture by 
the Pelican will appear from the selections printed from the Journal. The 
object of the cruise was ostensibly to convey William Harris Crawford, of 
Georgia, newly-chosen minister plenipotentiary, and successor to Joel Barlow, 
deceased, to France, accompanied by his suite. In his instructions from the 
navy department, dated June 5. 1813. Allen was directed to land the party 
at the first port of France without risk. On June 12th. he wrote to the secre- 
tary of the navy, that he would "immediately proceed to put in execution his 
orders as to the ulterior purpose of his destination." ^^ The "ulterior pur- 
pose" in his instructions read: "You will then proceed upon a cruise against 
the commerce and light cruisers of the enemy, which \oi\ will capture and 
destroy in all cases; unless their value and qualities shall render it morally 
certain that they may reach a safe and not distant port. Indeed, in the present* 
state of the enemy's force, there are very few cases that would justify the 
manning of a prize; because, the chances of reaching a safe port are infinitely 
against the attempt, and the weakening the crew of the Argus might expose 
you to an unequal contest with the enemy. It is exceedingly desirable that 



''The official text is in American State Papers — Naval Affairs, 1:281. 

'- He was mortally wounded in an action against about one hundred pirates near Point Hycacos, on 
the north side of Cuba, on November 9, 1822. As he was expiring, he expressed satisfaction that he was 
dying in the service of his country. — American State Papers — Naval Affairs. 1:823-824. Watson subse- 
quently revenged the loss of his old comrade by a successful slaughter of pirates, and died in the service 
with a fine record. 

"Captains were paid $100; lieutenants $40. and surgeons $30 per month. 

^*Port Folio, 3d ser., 111:16. 



CRUISE OF THE U. S. BRIG ARGUS IN 1813 7 

the enemy should be made to feel the effects of our hostility, and of his bar- 
barous system of warfare; and in no way can we so effectually accomplish 
that object, as by annoying and destroying his commerce, fisheries, and coast- 
ing trade. The latter is of the utmost importance, and is much more exposed 
to the attack of such a vessel as the Argus, than is generally understood. This 
would carry the war home directly to their feelings and interests, and produce 
an astonishing sensation. For this purpose, the cruising ground from the 
entrance of the British channel to Cape Clear, down the coast of Ireland, 
across to, and along the northwest coast of England, would employ a month 
or six weeks to great advantage. The coasting fleet on this track are im- 
mensely valuable: and you would also be in the way of their West India home- 
ward fleet, and those to and from Spain, Portugal, and the Mediterranean. 
When you are prepared to leave this ground, you may pass round the north- 
w-est of Ireland, towards Fair island passage, in the track of the Archangel 
fleets, returning home in August and September." The instructions closed 
with these words: "Your talents and honorable services are deeply impressed 
upon this Department, and will not cease to excite its attention. Wishing 
you a prosperous and honorable cruise." ^^ 

These definite orders Allen carried out with precision. It was at once 
a perilous task and "a service, to a man fond of glory, peculiarly invidious." ^^ 
Notwithstanding. Allen showed himself the gentleman as well as a thorough 
man-of-war's man. Private property of passengers was secure from loot. 
On July 24th. having captured the Susannah, a large British brig, he gave her 
up to her captain on account of two women who were passengers. ^^ "Prob- 
ably no action of his life could more plainly distinguish his character than 
this: he loved danger as much as he abhorred to plunder the defenceless." ^^ 
And his character can be gaged from the beautiful feeling expressed in his 
last letter to his sister, viz. — "When you shall hear that I have ended my 
earthly career, that I only exist in the kind remembrance of my friends, you 
will forget my follies, forgive my faults, call to mind some little instances 
dear to reflection, to excuse your love for me, and shed one tear to the memory 
of Henry." ^^ The record of the twenty prize vessels taken by Allen dur- 
ing his short cruise in the Argus is revealed in the portion of Tnderwick's 



"The important document from which these extracts are taken is in American State Papers — Naval 
Affairs, 1:375. Mahan shows that the Argus was the first United States vessel which emphasized the fact, 
that the waters surrounding the British Islands were the field where commerce destruction could be most 
decisively effected. — Sea Power in its relations to the War of 1812, 11:216. 

"Porf Folio, 16. 

'■ This is recorded in the journal and verified by British accounts. See also Niles' Weekly Register, 
V:7S: also 135-136, 149-150, for evidences of his humane conduct toward captives. 

"Porf Folio, 17. 

" Ibid, 23. Allen was unmarried. 



g THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY 

Journal that follows hereto On December 20. 1815, his brother. Thomas J. 
Allen, acting as attorney and agent, presented to the U. S. Senate a claim 
for prize money for the vessels captured and destro^^ed. In this memorial 
to the chairman of the Senatorial Committee on Naval Affairs, reference 
is made to "a chart of the track of the Argus, and a list of the vessels she 
captured, their tonnage. &c. &c. and the documents that were found on board 
these vessels." It continues: "The chart shows the course of the Argus from 
L'Orient. up the western coast of Ireland, into the river Shannon, and thence, 
round into St. George's channel where she was captured. The red letters on 
the list of vessels indicate the time and place of their capture on the chart. 
...Lieutenant Watson, of the Argus, on his return from England to this 
country, delivered at the Navy Department a report respecting the value 
&c. of these vessels and their cargoes, which he estimated at about three mil- 
lion of dollars, as will be seen by referring to the letter from INIr. [Benjamin] 
Romans. ... I made application at the Navy Department for the log book 
of the Argus, which, perhaps, contains some information of importance on 
the subject, but it has not yet been found; as soon as it is discovered, I shall 
beg leave to add the evidence it may afford to that presented now." -^ 

FIGHT BETWEEN THE ARGUS AND THE PELICAN 

The successful raiding of the British commerce filled the ship-merchants 
with consternation, whilst insurance mounted to prodigious rates on war risks. 
In Lloyd's lists, and otherwise, the English newspapers made public the awful 
losses. Something had to be done to hunt down this Yankee phantom of 
the seas and British cruisers were hurriedly despatched to scurry the waters 
in search of her. On August 12th. Mce-Admiral Thornborough. of the British 
navy, ordered Captain John Fordyce Maples- in the brig Pelican "to cruise 
in St. George's Channel for the protection of the trade, and to obtain informa- 
tion" of the American destroyer.-^ The Pelican was one of the largest brigs in 
the British navy and had been built in 1812. Her tonnage was 385. She had 
16 carronades (32-pounders ). two long 6-pounders. and a 12-pound launch- 
carronade, as well as two 1)rass 6s procured by Captain ^Maples as standmg 
chase-guns. Her metal broadside was 274 pounds, or one-sixth heavier than 

=» Compare also Neeser. 11:300; American State Papers — Naval Affairs. 1:374. The latter is a list 
of vessels taken or destroyed by the U. S. navy during the war, not complete, however, for the Argus. 

■^American State Patters — A'ata/ Affairs, 1:373. 

=2 For his capture of the Argus. Maples was promoted to the rank of "Commodore," beuig succeedea 
in the Pelican by Captain Mansell. 

■"-3 London Times, August 25, 1813. letter of Maples to Thornborough; alsj in The \aval Lhronicle 



(1813). XXX:246. 



CRUISE OF THE U. S. BRIG ARGUS IN 1813 9 

the Argus: whilst her ccMiiplement. when the action began, consisted of 104 
men and 12 bovs. who were mostly under thirteen years of age.^'* 

The Pelican had only arrived at Cork from a cruise on the morning of 
the 12th and had been ordered to prepare again for sea immediately.^^ At 
ten o'clock at night of the 13th. Captain Maples fell in with the brig Mary, 
from Wexford, and from her master learned the course of the Argns.^^ At 
six in the morning of the 13th. Allen burnt the Defiance and the Baltic; at 
nine o'clock that night he captured his best prize, the large brig Belford, and 
at midnight burnt her.-^ At four in the morning of the 14th. Captain Maples 
in the Pelican "saw a vessel on fire [the Belford], and a brig [the ArgiiS] stand- 
ing from her."2s He "made all sail" to give chase, and "at half-past five 
came alongside" of the Argiis.-'^ \\'hen both brigs sighted one another at 
four o'clock, the Argus was in St. George's Channel, in latitude 50° 15' X. 5^2. 
and longitude 5° 50' W., according to Lieutenant Watson,^° which was some 
miles off St. David's Head, on the coast of Wales. Captain Allen had made 
up his mind not to run away from any two-masted enemy ship.^^ The 
Pelican was "standing down under a press of sail" upon the "weather-quarter" 
of the Argus, "the wind being at south," so "the Argus close-hauled on the 
starboard-tack." ^- Having shortened sail "and made herself clear for an 
obstinate resistance," the Argus got three cheers from the crew of the Pelican 
and the action commenced at six o'clock on the morning of August 14th. 
being "kept up with great spirit on both sides," according to the report of 
the British commander." Now we have seen that the complement of the 
Pelican was 1 12. The Argus had originally 150, according to the notation of 
Surgeon Inderwick, and 149 according to the British captain, which is cor- 
rect if the allowance of one who died on the voyage over is deducted; but. 
whatever the exact numl)cr. the Argus's complement had been materially 
reduced by the manning of prize ships.-'"* 

As the south wind gave the Pelican the windward position and prevented 
the Argus from getting the weather-gage, she shortened sail, '"wore round." 
and s:ave the Pelican "the larboard broadside, being at this time [6 A. M.] 



=« James, ^'az■al Occurrences. London. 1817, p. 273, 275, 279, 281. 

^ Ibid, 269; London Times. August 18, 1813. 

-•London Times, August 13. 1813. 

-' Inderwick's Journal, infra. 

2' Maples to Thornborough, in London Times, August 25, 1813. 

=» Ibid. 

»° Niles' M'cekly Register, VIir.43; James, op. cit., appendix 43. 

^^ Port Folio, 3d series, 111:17. 

2= Watson to secretary of navy, March 2, 1815, in Niles' Weekly Register, VIII:43; also James, 
op. cit.. appendix 43. In London Times, .\ugust 18, 1813. testimony of Capt. Mills, of the Hope, from 
Newcastle to Cork, which had been ordered by the Argus to follow her, but had escaped during the battle. 

33 Maples to Thornborough, in London Times, August 25, 1813. 

^* Maples says that there were 127 in the crew of the Argus when the action began. James, op. cit., 277, 
puts the number at 131, and Spears, op. cit., 11:368, as low as 104. 



10 THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY 

within grape-distance." The Pelican repHed with a full broadside and the 
brigs were presently "within the range of musketry." ^^ The brigs ran side by 
side in this range, probably under two hundred yards apart. ^^ 

Four minutes after the action had opened. Captain Allen had his "left 
knee shattered by a cannon shot."^^ But this intrepid commander continued 
to direct the fire for four minutes longer until, "being much exhausted by the 
loss of blood." he was taken below deck, where Surgeon Inderwick. about two 
hours after the action, "amputated the thigh." ^^ The Pelican had shot away 
the "main braces, main-spring-stay, gaff and try-sail mast" of the Argus. 
P'irst Lieutenant William H. ^\'atson now took command. At 6.12. the Argus 
lost her "sprit-sail-yard, and the principal part of the standing rigging on the 
larboard-side of the fore-mast. "^^ At the same time, Watson "received a 
wound on the head from a grape-shot," tearing off a part of the scalp, so 
that the bone was denuded. ''^ Stunned by the blow, he was carried below, 
where the surgeon dressed the wound. The command of the quarter-deck 
now devolved upon the second lieutenant, ^\'illiam Howard Allen. Jr. 

At 6.14. the Pelican, being then on the weather-quarter of the Argus, 
edged off in an endeavor to get under her stern, "but the Argus luffed close 
to with the main-top-sail a-back." and frustrated the attempt, by throwing 
herself across the Pelican's path and giving her a raking broadside. "'^ The 
aim was poor and "seems to have lost her the effect that should have resulted 
from this ready and neat manoeuvre."'*'^ 

The rigging of the Argus had already suffered great damage. At 6.18, 
she had her "preventer [duplicate] main-braces and main-top-sail tye" shot 
away.'*'' Having lost the use of her after-sails and being unmanageable, she 
"fell off before the wind.'''*'* This gave the Pelican a chance to choose her 
own position, which she did by passing first under the stern of the Argus, 
and then up to the starboard side."*^ The Pelican was enabled to rake her fore 
and aft. whilst her only reply to the broadsides was with musketry."*^ "At 
6.25, the wheel-ropes and running rigging of every description being shot 
away, the Argus was at the complete mercy of the Pelican. At 6.30, when 
First Lieutenant Watson, his wounds dressed and himself sufficientlv re- 



^'' Watson to secretary of navy, March 2, 1815. 

=« Mahan, Sea Power in its relations to the War of 1812, 11:217; Spears, op. cit., 11:363. 

" Inderwick's Journal. 

^^ Ibid; Watson to secretary of the navy, March 2, 1815. 

^° Watson, as cited above. 

*" Ibid; Inderwick's Journal. 

" Watson as cited before. 

*- Mahan. op. cit.. 11:218. 

" Watson as cited before. 

" Ibid. 

« Ibid. 

« Mahan, op. cit., 11:218. 




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CRUISE OF THE U. S. BRIG ARGUS IX 1813 1 1 

covered, returned to the deck, the Pelican was at the stern of the Argus, within 
pistol-shot, where she continued to rake her until 6.3S. when the Americans 
prepared to board, but were prevented by their shattered conchtion.''' The 
Pelican now took a position on tlie starboard-bow of the Argus. From this 
time until 6.47 o'clock the Argus was "exposed to a cross or rakin.c: fire, with- 
out being able to oppose but little more than musketry to the broadside" of 
the British brig, as her guns, being disabled, were seldom brought to bear.'*'^ 

After a fight of three-quarters of an hour, Lieutenant Watson, realizing 
his untenable position in the helplessness of the Argus, and observing that 
the British were preparing to board, surrendered.^^ \\'hen the smoke cleared 
awav. "the English flag was seen flying over the American, and l)oth vessels 
lying to. repairing damages. "^^ Two shots had ''passed through the boat- 
swain's and the carpenter's cabins" of the Pelican. "Her sides were filled 
with grape-shot; ami her rigging and sails injured much. Her fore-mast, 
and main-top-mast, were slightly wounded, and so were her royals: but no 
spar was seriously hurt. Two of her carronades were dismounted."^' 

The stubborn resistance of the Argus — despite the loss of her com- 
mander, the temporary disability of her first lieutenant, and the odds in a 
series of sulphurous broadsides of iron — made an impression upon her oppo- 
nent." It has been said, however, that when all things are considered, the 
defeat was "one of the most unfortunate defeats suffered at sea during the 
war";5^ and IMahan's analysis is: "After every allowance for disparity of 
force, the injurv done by the American fire cannot be deemed satisfactory, 
and suggests the consideration whether the voyage to France under pressure 
of a diplomatic mission, and the busy preoccupation of making, manning, 
and firing prizes. . .may not have interfered unduly with the more important 
requirements of fighting ef ficiency."^-* On the other hand. Mahan avers, that 
the "rapid succession of captures" made by the Argus "is a matter of more 
significance than the loss of a single brig of war. It showed the vulnerable 
point of the British trade and local intercommunication." " 

In some early naval histories, followed by some later writers. ^^ it has been 
alleged that the Argus, just before she met the Pelican, had captured a vessel 



*' Watson, as previously cited. 

*» Ibid. 

« Ibid. 

«> London Times, August 18, 1813. 

" James, off. cit., 272. . 

"Maples in his report to Thornborough expressed regret that Allen had been wounded, suffering 
amputation. 

"Spears, of: cit., 11:367. 

"Mahan. op. cit., 11:218-219. 

"Ibid, 219. 

'•Cooper. History of the S'avy of U. S. (London. 1839). 11:307; Dawson's Battles of U. S., 11:267. 
who quotes Cooper, but does not take the charge seriously; Spears, op. cit., 11:369. 



12 THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY 

from Oporto, laden with wine, which had been brought aboard clandestinely, 
"as the boats passed to and fro, and that many of the people, who had been 
over- worked and kept from their rest, partook of the refreshment it afforded 
too freely." There is, however, not a scintilla of evidence in records to sup- 
port the charge. The Argus made no capture that fits the case with respect 
to Oporto. She had indeed captured, at that time, her main prize, the large 
brig Belford, from Dublin, bound to London, laden with a large store of Irish 
linen and some wine. There was taken out of her "a box of Plate" and in 
three hours after her capture she was ablaze.^'' Moreover. Cooper, who made 
the charge, freely admits that Captain Allen's "influence over the crews with 
which he sailed was very great, and it is not possible to say now what might 

have been the result of the combat in which he fell, had he not been so early 
killed."58 

The crew of the Argus was a new one, under a new commander. She had 
sailed without delay with a diplomatic charge, precluding the opportunity of 
training the men in gun exercises and other manoeuvres. ^^ She had in twenty- 
two days (July 23 -August 13) captured nineteen prizes. "The continued 
loss of sleep, together with the excessive fatigue consequent upon such a rapid 
succession of captures, and the extreme watchfulness necessary in so exposed 
a situation, disabled the Argus from making so great a resistance to her more 
powerful enemy as she might otherwise have done." ''^ Lieutenant Watson, 
communicating his report to the secretary of the navy,^^ also referred to "the 
superior size and metal" of the Pelican "and the fatigue" which those on 
the Argus had endured "from a very rapid succession of captures."' Besides, 
he felt "great satisfaction in reporting the general good conduct of the men 
and officers engaged on this occasion." A court of inquiry,^- "to investigate 
the causes of the loss by capture" of the Argus, was held at Baltimore, on 
board the U. S. frigate Java. The members of the court were Captains Ridgely 
and Spence, Lieutenant Budd, and Judge Advocate J. S. Skinner. They "care- 
fully examined into the causes of the loss by capture. . .and also into the 
conduct of the officers and crew of the said sloop of war before and after 
her surrender." After mature deliberation "upon all the testimony," they 
found, among other things, "that the crew of the Argus was very much ex- 
hausted by the continued and extraordinary fatigue and exposure to which 
they had been subjected for several weeks, and particularly for twenty-four 



" Inderwick's Journal. 

"Cooper, op. cit., 11:310, note. 

^» Port Folio, 3d series, 111:18. 

*° Memorial of Allen's brother, in .4tncricait State Papers — Naval Affairs, 1:373. 

*' .As previously cited. 

«=Niles' Weekly Register, VIII :145-146. 



I 



CRUISE OF THE U. S. BRIG .IRGUS IN 1813 13 

hours ininK'tliatcly prccctling- the action"; that "every ufficer and man of 
the Arijus ( witli the exception of one man, Jacob AlHster. antl one boy. Hen- 
ch'ick). made use of every ])racticable exertion to capture the British sloop 
of war Pelican." The verdict of the court, therefore, was, "that every officer 
and man (with the exception l)efore mentioned) displayed throughout the 
engagement, a zeal, activity and spirit in defence of the vessel and flag com- 
mitted to their protection, whicli entitles them to the undiminished confidence 
and respect of their government and fcUcnv-citizens." 

The casualties of the Argus in action were eight killed <ir mortally 
wounded, and ten wounded. Those who died were Captain Allen. Midship- 
men Edwards and Delphy, Boatswain's Mate Jordan, and four seamen. The 
wounded were Lieutenant Watson, a boatswain, the carpenter, the quarter- 
master and six seamen. " On the Pelican, the casualties were two killed and 
five wounded.^"* William Young, a master's mate, was "slain in the moment 
of victory," as he led the boarding party and had stepped "upon the gunwale 
of the Argus." The others were seamen. Captain Maples "had a narrow 
escape; a spent canister-shot striking, with some degree of force, one of his 
waistcoat buttons, and then falling on deck." ^^ 

After the fight was over, the prisoners were divided. A third of the crew 
of the Pelican were placed on board the Argus. On account of the unsup- 
ported state of the foremast of the Argus and in consequence of a strong 
breeze that came up. the prize-master bore up for Plymouth, while the Pelican 
went to Cork to report to the admiral. On her way. the Pelican transferred 
some thirty of her prisoners to the Leonidas, which she had met at sea.^^ 

Meanwhile, Captain Allen was in a precarious condition. He continued in 
the Argus to Plymouth, where, at the solicitation of Surgeon Inderwick. he was 
■removed to the Mill Prison Hospital, and died there at eleven o'clock on the 
night of August 18th. ^^ As he was being taken out of the ship to the hospital, he 
cast his languid eyes on his comrades, saying: "God bless you. my lads; we shall 
never meet again." ^^ He w'as conscious at intervals "till within ten minutes of 
his dissolution, when he sunk exhausted, and expired without a struggle." ^' 

The commander-in-chief or port admiral at Plymouth directed that Allen 



•^ This record of eight killed or mortally wounded and ten wounded, is deduced from Surgeon 
Inderwick's Journal. Lieut. Watson's report to the secretary of the navy, says six killed, seventeen wounded, 
of whom five afterwards died. Mahan, op. cit.. 11:218. has adopted these figures. Spears, op. fit., 11^368, 
puts the killed at ten, and the wounded at fourteen, evidently an attempted analysis of James, op. cit., 272. 

" Maples to Thornborough, in London Times, August 25, 1813. 

*= James, op. cit., 270. 

" 'ibid. 279. 

«^ Inderwick's Journal; John Hawker, former U. S. vice consul at Plymouth, to General Allen, .August 
19, 1813, in Port Folio, 3d series, 111:20. 

^ Port Folio, 111:19. 

•^Hawker to Gen. Allen in Port Folio, 111:20. 



14 THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY 

be buried with military honors. ^° The funeral took place on Saturday, August 
21st. The procession left Mill Prison at noon. On the coffin was a velvet 
pall, over which was spread the American ensign, and on it were laid his hat 
and sword. As the coffin was being removed to the hearse, the guard saluted; 
when deposited, the procession moved forward, the band playing the "Dead 
March in Saul." Upon arrival near the church, the guard halted and clubbed 
arms, single files inward, through which the procession passed to the church, 
into which the corpse was carried and deposited in the centre aisle. The funeral 
service was read by the vicar, after which the recessional took place, passing 
through the guard as upon entrance, and the body was interred in the south 
yard of St. Andrew's on the right of his midshipman. Richard Delphy, who 
had had both legs shot off at the knees, and whose interment had taken place 
only the preceding evening. 

The order was as follows: 

"PROCESSION. 

Guard of Honour. 

Lieutenant-Colonel of Royal Marines, 

With two Companies of that Corps. 

The Captains, Subalterns, and Field-Adjutant (Officers with hat-bands and scarfs.) 

Royal Marine Band. 

Vicar and Curate of St. Andrew's. 

Clerk of ditto. 

THE HEARSE, 

with the Corpse of the deceased Captain, 

Attended by eight seamen, late of the Argus, with crape round their 

arms, tied with white crape ribbon. 

Also eight British Captains of the Royal Navy, as pall-bearers, with 

hat-bands and scarfs. 
Captain Allen's servants, in mourning. 
The Officers, late of the Argus, in uniform, with crape sashes and 

hat-l)ands, two and two. 

John Hawker, Esq. late American Vice-Consul, and his Clerks. 

Captain Pellowe, Commissioner for Prisoners of War. 

Dr. M'Grath, Chief Medical Officer at Mill Prison Depot. »••• 

Captains of the Royal Navy in port, two and two. 

Marine and Army Officers, two and two. 

Servants of the American Officers, two and two. 

Followed by a very numerous and respectable retinue of Inhabitants."" 



"London Times, August 23, 1813. 

" London Times, August 28, 1813, p. 3. col. 4; also in Port Folio, 3d series. III: 21-22. Allen Street 
in the city of New York, was named in his honor. 



CRUISE OF THE U. S. BRIG ARGUS IX 1813 15 

SELECTIONS FROM THE JOURNAL 

July P' [1813] Thursday at sea 

This morning in Gale lost James Hunt one of our finest men. He fell 
from the main }ard, struck on the starboard gunnel and then overboard.^ 

July 7"' Wednesday at sea 
Captured yesterday the Brittish Schooner Salamanca - — burnt her. 

July 11''' Sunday in sight of land 
anchored betw een the Isle Groix & main. 

July 12''' ]\Ionday Port Louis 
[On this day Mr. Groves had his arm caught in a turn of the cable when 
the anchor was being dropped. For several days his forearm was much 
swelled, but under treatment of the surgeon it was restored in a week's time.] 

July \A^^ ^^'ednesday Port Louis L'Orient 
I this day received a note from AF Jackson-' Sec^' of Legation intimat- 
ing a desire of the Minister AL Crawford ^ that I should call upon him as he 
was indisposed. Found him labouring under a Cattarrhal affection — at- 
tended with fever. 

[On July 15th, the surgeon visited Mr. Craw-ford again "at the Consuls 
some distance above L'Orient." and found him "altogether better."] 

July 20 Tuesday Port Louis L'Orient 
Sailed this Evening from Port. 

July 2Z^ Friday at Sea 
Cruising of[f] the Mouth of the E[nglish] Channell 



' This was the first death on the voyage. 

= The Salamanca, of Poole, was on her way from Oporto to Newfoundland; formerly she was the 
King of Rome, of New York. She was "of two hundred and sixty tons, pierced for eighteen guns, mount- 
ing six and manned with sixteen men." — Capt. W. H. Allen to the Secretary of the Navy, July 12, 1813, 
in Niles' Weekly Register. V:46. 

All names of ships are printed in italics, even when they are not underscored in the original 
manuscript. 

' Henry Jackson, a professor in the University of Georgia. After Crawford's return to the United 
States, Jackson remained in France as charge d'affaires until 1817. 

* William Harris Crawford, who succeeded to the mission to France, left vacant by the death of 
Joel Barlow in the preceding year. Crawford was born in -Amherst County, Va., on February 24, 1772; he 
died at Elberton, Ga., on September 15, 1834. In 1799, he began the practice of law at Lexington. Ga.; 
was a State Legislator, 1803-1807; United States Senator from Georgia, from November 7, 1807, until he 
resigned on March 23, 1813. In the United States Senate he had been president pro tempore. He declined 
the portfolio of war offered to him by President Madison, preferring the place of Minister Plenipotentiary 
to France. This post he filled until April 22, 1815. 



15 THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY 

Captured this Evening after a few hours chase the Schooner Matilda " 
from Brazil & bound to England — formerly an American Privateer. 

July 24^'' Saturday at Sea 

Captured this morning a large brig^ from Madeira for England laden 
with wine, got a few ^ pipes of the best on board intended for the use of the 
Countess of Shaftesbury — £8.800 sterling — Stove nearly all the rest. On 
account of 2 Lady Passengers we gave her up to the Captain — Sent all our 
Prisoners on board her — Manned the Schooner ^ with 14 men under the com- 
mand of M"" Groves. . 

Lat 49 50 near Scilly 

July 25*'^ Sunday at sea 

Saw a fleet of 11 sail this morning a frigate among them — also a large 
sail to windward — spoke her — she proved a palacre ^ ship from Lisbon to 
London Portuguese — fleet out of sight. 

July 26 Monday Mouth of the Channell 
Discovered a Square rigged vessell this morning — from her appearance 
supposed an American Standing before the wind up Channell — Did not give 
chace as it would carry us too far up the channell — especially as the wind 
is from the Westward. 

July 27''' Tuesday at sea off Ustend ^ 
Captured a large English Brig the Richard ^° from Giberalter in ballast. 
Took out the Capt & Crew and a female Passenger & burnt her. 

July 28 Wednesday at sea 

Discovered at 8 A. M. a Brig ^S: Cutter apparently in chase of a Schooner. 

Bore down upon them and found them English armed Vessels. Tack'd and 

stood away when they all gave chase — run the Schooner & Cutter out of 

sight l)v 12. at 3 P.M. the Brig Visible on our lee Quarter with a glass, at 



"The Matilda had been captured by the Lion, a privateer of London. JJow in the British service, 
she was on a vovage from Pernanibuco in Brazil to London when taken by the Argus. A few days later 
she was retaken 'by the frigate Revolutionaiie and arrived at Plymouth, England, on July 30th. — Bell s 
Weeklv Messenger, 1813. p. 247. 255. 

»The Susannah, Captain Porrett, from I^Iadeira to London. She arrived at Penzance on July 2otti. 
— Bell's Weekly Messenger, 1S13, p. 247; London Times, August 26, 1813. 

' The Matilda. 

^ Gold ship. 

* Ostend, in Belgium. 

1" The Richard, of Whitby, Capt. Biggs or Briggs, from Gibraltar to Portsmouth. 



CRUISE OF THE U. S. BRIG ARGUS IN 1813 17 

4 P M the Brig continues the chase bearing the same as before — She rather 
free — we close to the Wind — Speed 9 knots lost her at dark.^* 

July 3P* Saturday at sea 
Brought too a large Ship this morning, which proved to be a Danish 
Merchantman, sailing under license from Norway bound to Limerick, laden 
with Timber. She had been spoken in the N[orth] Sea by the Pelican Sloop, 
and on the Coast by a Brittish Frigate. 

August P' Sunday at sea off the Shannon 
Made the land to day — the first light House on Loop Head'- on the 
N[orth] of the Entrance of the Shannon. Stood into the Shannon about 9 or 
10 miles — Brought too a brig called the Fowey^^ from Limirick to Ports- 
mouth with Pork for Government — Burnt her — remained in the river under 
easy sail until she had burned to the water's edge & had nearly grounded 
among the breakers on the N[orth] side — The Shore lined with inhabitants 

— Towards evening stood out to Sea. 

August 2'^ Monday at Sea 
Captured this afternoon a Cutter rigged vessell laden with butter & Hides 
from Limerick for Liverpool. Called Lady Francis^'^ — took out some of 
the Butter — She kept near us during the night. 

August 3^^ Tuesday at sea Lat 53 6 
It blowing a heavy gale with a high Sea we were unalile to board the 
prize — AL Allen ^' displayed a Signal we lay too 'till he came within speaking 
distance — found he had no Quadrant on board & was afraid of a separation 

— Slung a Cask containing a Quadrant- Navigation book &c & veered it 
astern which after some dificulty he contrived to get on board — he remained 
bv us all night. 

Auirust 4"' Wednesdav at Sea 
12 oClk The gale still continues — unable to board the Prize on account 
of the Sea — 



" On the 30th they were "Off S. W. Coast of Ireland in sight — Ennis Tuscan," or the island of 
Inishtooskert. 

" The promontory on the north side of the entrance of the River Shannon. 

"The Fowev, Ca'pt. McDonnell, laden "with 200 tierces and 138 barrels of pork." — Bell s II eckly 
Messenger, 1813. p. 263. which says also that "she drove on shore the ne.xt d.iy m Kilbaha Bay, where 
the greater part of the cargo was landed, and taken possession of by the inhabitants." 

" The Lady Frances. Capt. Blair, of Rothesay. Burnt on the afternoon of August 5th. 

" William Henry Allen. 



18 THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY 

4 P ]\I Gale continues Sent M"" Levy ^^ in the Gig with men to reheve 
IVr Allen & crew 

x\ugust 5'"' Thursday at sea 
Lat. 53 15 

11 oCk The Weather has moderated. A heavy sea remains: but sub- 
siding. Prize in Co. 

4 P.M. Every prospect of bad weather again boarded the prize — took 
out Provisions & water and set fire to her — during the time the boats were 
employed the Wind increased to a heavy Gale.^'^ 

August 7'^ Saturday at Sea 
Discovered this morning a large rock under our lee Supposed to be one 
of the Skellings.'^ 

August 8^'^ Sunday at Sea off C[ape] Clear 
Discovered a large vessel early this morning — made sail for her — upon 
closing made her out to be a frigate — hauled upon a wind and soon lost sight 
of her. 

August 9^*" ]\Ionday off Kinsale 

Four sail in sight at Day light this morning a large one to windward 
and one to leeward stand for us — The large one proved to be a Russian ship 
from Cork to Limerick — was informed that the J ah use Sloop of 22-32^ 
was sent from Cork after us 5 days ago — The vessells to leward stood from 
us — wore ship after them — Wind very light & little hope of getting up 
with them. 

5 P.yi. Calm, manned the boats and captured both. The Ship Bar- 
badocs^'^ & Brig Alliance-^ on Government service — Burnt them about 10 
at night. "^ Much incommoded with Prisoners. 



''Uriah Phillips Levy, who entered the United States Navy in 1S12, being "Sailing-master" on Octo- 
ber 21, of that year. 

" On the 6th, land was in sight, in latitude 52°, 15'. One of the seamen was suffering from rheuma- 
tism over his whole body, he having "been much exposed to wet &• fatigue." 

"One of the Skelligs, rocky islets off the southwest coast of Ireland. Probably the one mentioned 
was the Great Skellig. 

" The Barhadoes, Capt. Skiller or Skilling, was a British transport. 

-"The Alliance, Capt. Davis, of Milford. was a British transport. 

=' A contemporary account dated at Cork, on August 13th, says: "On Saturday the ship Barbadoes. 
the Alliance, and the Jason Russian vessel, in company with some others, sailed from this harbour for 
Limerick. In the course of Sunday, some of the vessels put into Kinsale, but the three abovementioned 
proceeded on their destination. On Monday evening they fell in with, off Baltimore, the American sloop 
of war the Argus. She boarded the Jason, but permitted her to proceed. She then boarded the Barhadoes 
and Alliance, and after having taken out the crews, set them on fire and completely destroyed them." — 
London Times, August 18, 1813, p. 3. 




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CRUISE OF THE U. S. BRIG ARGUS IN 1813 19 

August lO^*" Tuesday at sea 

About 2 A.M., weather foggy, 4 large sail were discovered close aboard 
to windward. Soon after as day broke a large fleet were observed around 
us. One of the vessels near us proved to be a Frigate within musket shot 
of us. She did not discover us until we had gained the weather gage, when 
she made sail, but could not come up. She made signals and another more 
to leeward made sail a man of war Brig, at the same time lying too for us 
on our larboard bow. We ran nearly close aboard of the Brig in perfect 
silence — men concealed at quarters, we passed and she did not molest us. 
About 8 A M sent our boat aboard a S[C]hooner The Cordelia ^- from Antigua 
for Bristol, one of a fleet of 400 sail. Destroyed her Cargo consisting of 
Susfar & Mollasses. Put all uur Prisoners aboard and sent her as a Cartel. 
While engaged Avith this vessel another Frigate passed close to us. The fog 
clearing a little below we could percieve [sic] her hull and ports but not her 
Masts or rigging. She did not observe us. 

August the 1 P'' \\>dnesday at sea standing towards Bristol Channel 

Came up with another part of the fleet this morning and after a chase 
of 4 hours Captured a large Ship the Mariner ^^ — laden with Sugar &c Bound 
to Bristol. Sent ^P Allen -"* aboard with directions to stand after us. Crowded 
all sail after another to leeward — 12 Sail in sight in that direction — A 
Brig & Cutter to windward — after a long chase captured the other named 
the Betsy -'^ laden with Sugar — at the same time captured a Pilot Boat Cutter 
Jane ^^ — Soon after, a Brig -^ and a Cutter Sloop ^^ from Poole to Liverpool 
with Clay. Sent in the Prisoners in the Brig. Sent in the Betsy a prize — 
Burnt the Mariner — Sunk the Cutter Sloop. 

10 oClk P :M captured another Cutter Sloop the Dinah & Betty -^ from 
Cork for Mjfracombe with cattle. Killed and got on board 2 head — Burnt 
her. 



"The Cordelia is not mentioned in the list of captures, in American State Pafers — Xa-al Affairs, 
1:374. She is mentioned in the British lists, however, her captain being named Avery. After her cargo 
was destroyed she was "delivered up to the prisoners of the different vessels, amounting to 48. six Masters 
and 42 men, who arrived at Cove on Wednesday," August 10th. — London Times, August 18, 1813, p. 3. 
Some accounts credit her as coming from the island of St. Martins. 

=* The Mariner, Capt. Gilbert, was bound from St. Croi.x to Bristol. 

-* Apparently Lieut. William Howard Allen is meant. 

=* The Betsy. Capt. Merryweather, bound from St. Vincent's to Bristol. She was retaken by the 
British frigate Leonidas, Capt. Seymour, and arrived at Plymouth. — London Times, August 18, 24 and 26, 
1813. 

=« Xo record has been found of this pilot boat in the British lists. 

^- The Eleanora. The English records state that she was given up as a cartel and arrived at Bristol. 

^ The John and Thomas, Capt. Trewhella. bound from Poole to Liverpool. 

=» Also named in some lists Diana and Betty and Dinas and Betty. She was commanded by Capt. 
J. Evans, who deposed that he fell in with the Argus "off the Smalls." — London Times, August 18, 1813. 



20 THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRAR\ 

August 12*'' Thursday at sea off the Saltees Ireland 
Captured a new Brig called the Ann from Cardigan ^° to London with 
Slate and Welsh Woolens. Sunk her[.] Brought too a Portuguese Brig 
bound to Cork — Sent the Prisoners from the 2 last prizes on board of her. 
Gave chace to two large Ships and a Brig to leeward — Allowed the Brig 
to Pass us and continued the chase after the large vessells — All showing 
English colors. One ship showing 18 ports the other 16 apparently preparing 
for action. Brought them too and sent ]\r Allen on board the largest the Cap- 
tain of which refused to come on board us; and before our boat had returned 
the[y] both made sail keeping close to each other. Made sail and engaged them 
both. The large one struck after receiving 2 broadsides — chased the other 
close in and she escaped among the Saltese rocks. The large one proved a 
Scotch Ship the Defiance^^ mounting 14 long nines 21 men — from Greenock 
to Newfoundland.^" 

August 13"' Friday idem 
At 2 oClk A.M. captured a large Brig the Baltic ■^^ one of the W. I. fleet 
laden with sugar bound to Dublin — at 5 a Sloop laden with deal boards — at 
6 burnt the Defiance and the Baltic — threw overboard the cargo of the Sloop 
and sent her away with the Prisoners at 9 P M — fired a gun and brought too 
a large Brig the Bclford ^^ — which had nearly ran aboard of us — She proved 
to be from Dublin bound to London laden with linen wine &c worth 100,000 £ 
— Took out of her a box of Plate and at 12 oClk burnt her. 

August 14"' Saturday St George's Channel 
Early this morning came to action with a large Jinglish Brig[.] She cap- 
tured us after an action of 45 minutes[.] She proved to be the Pelican. 

August 15"' Sunday at sea •■' 

The following list comprehends the number of killed and wounded on 
board of our vessel as far as can be at present ascertained. 
M"' W"' W Edwards ^5 Midshipman. Killed by shot in the head. 



'"The Ann, Capt. Richards, bound from Baniiouth to London. 

2> The Defiance belonged to Glasgow. 

^- Among the shi|)s credited in the English lists as captured by the Argus is a sloop called the John 
and Sally, of Cardigan, bound from Cork to Ilfraconibe; also that another sloop, the Fame, was 'given up." 

^' The Baltic. Capt. llardcastle, from Harbadoes to Dublin. 

^* She is called erroneously the Bedford, instead of Bel ford in the list in American State Patters, 
Naval Affairs, 1:374. She is listed correctly, however, in Lloyd's reports; was commanded by Capt. 
Donaldson; bound from Dublin to London "with 16,500 pieces of linen on board." — London Times, August 
26, 1813. 

^'William W. Edwards was commissioned a midshipman on September 1, 1811. 



CRUISE OF THE U. S. BRIG ARGUS IN 1813 21 

M"" Rich"^ Delphy^^ Midshipman. D° Had both legs nearly shot off at the 

knees — he survived the action about 3 hours 
Joshua Jones Seaman — Killed. 
Geo Gardiner Seaman — His thigh taken off by a round shot close to his 

body, he lived about jA an hour 
Jn° Finlay Seaman — His head was shot off at the close of the actioa 
W" Moulton Seaman Killed. 

Total 6. 

The following were wounded viz 

W™ H Allen Esq — Commander — His left knee shattered by a cannon shot. 
Amputation of the thigh was performed about 2 hours after the action 

— An anodyne was previously administered — An anodvne at night. 
Lieut Watson •'^ — P' — Part of the Scalp on the upper part of the head torn 

off by a grape shot — the l)one denuded. It was dressed lightly and he 
returned and took command of the deck. Xow on board the Pelican. 

AP Colin McCloud •'^ — Boatswain — • Received a severe lacerated wound on 
the upper part of the thigh, a slight one on the face and a contusion on 
the right shoulder. Dressed simply with lint and roller Bandage. 

Mr James White •'^ — Carpenter — Shot near the upper part of the left thigh 

— l)one fractured. Hemmorrhage considerable — Dressed the wound 
with lint imlmed with ol olivar — applied bandage and Splints — anodyne 
at night has also an incised wound in the head — Dressing — Suture 

— Adhesive plaster & double headed roller — 

Joseph Jordan — Boatswains Mate. Has a large wound thro the left thigh 
the bone fractured and splintered. — the back part of the right thigh 
carried off and nearly the whole of the fleshy nates carried awav — 
Dressed with lint imbued with ol oli\ar — gave him a large anodyne — 
repeated it at night — Case hopeless. 

Jno. Young — Quarter Master — Received a severe shot wound in the left 
breast seemingly by a glancing shot. The integuments and part of the 
extensor muscles of the hand torn away — Dressed lightly with oil and 
lint with appropriate bandages — gave him an anodyne at night. 

I'Vancis Eggert — Seaman — Has a very severe contusion of the right leg 
with a small gun shot wound a little above the outer ancle no ball dis- 
coverable — Dressed the wound with lint & bandage & directed the leg to 



'' Richard Delphy was commissioned a midshipman on ^^ay 18, 1809. 

^' William H. Watson was commissioned a midshipman on January 1, 1808, and a lieutenant on March 
7, 1813. He died on September 13. 1823. 

^' Colin McCloud was commissioned a boatswain on March 17, 1812. 

''James White was commissioned a midshipman on August 20, 18U, and resigned on August 22, 1813. 



22 THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY 

be kept constantly Avet with Aq. Veg. ^Mineral — 3 hours after reception 
the leg was swelled and very painful gave him an anodyne — Proposed 
Amputation but he would not consent. This morning the leg excessively 
tense — swelled — vesicated — and of a dark color about the outer ancle 

— Has considerable fever Directed the saline mixture with occasional 
anodyne To continue the lotion. 

John Nugent — Seaman — Gun shot wound in the superior part of the right 
thigh about 2 inches from the groin — Thigh bone fractured and much 
splintered — ball supposed to be in — Several pieces of bone were ex- 
tracted but the ball was not found — Dressed lint Bandage with splints — 
Anodyne — Rested considerably well last night but there has been a large 
oozing from the wound — Applied fresh lint. No fever. 

Charles Baxter — Seaman — Has a lacerated wound of the left ancle — The 
lower part of the fibula splintered — apparently affecting the joint. Has 
much hemmorhage from this wound. He has also a gun shot wound of 
the right thigh. The ball has passed obliquely downwards thro the back 
part of the thigh. I proposed the amputation of his left leg but he would 
not give his consent. Dressed both wounds with lint & Roller Bandages 

— Made considerable compression on the left foot in order to restrain the 
bleeding — Has some fever this morning. H. Mist. Salin — Tamarind 
water for drink — low diet. 

James Kellam — Seaman — Lacerated wound of the calf of the right leg — 
also a wound in the ham of the same Extremity — Dressing simple — 
To day the leg somewhat swelled and painfull — slackened the bandage. 

W"^ Harington — Seaman — Complains much of pain & soreness in the small 
of the back and nates. It is suspected that he has received a severe con- 
tusion on the parts H. Anodyne at night — N. S. ad ox\i Apply con- 
tinually Aq. Veg. Min to the parts. 

Ja^ Hall — Seaman — Has a slight wound above the left eye — I suspect 
caused by a splinter — Dressing simple 

Total ascertained — 12. 

Owing to the disordered state of the vessel the wounded have wretched ac- 
commodation — if that term may be used — I endeavoured to make their 
condition as comfortable as possible — Divided, those of our people who re- 
mained on board, and were well, into watches — in different parts of the vessel 
— M*" Hudson M'" Dennisson & myself sitting up with the Captain — Directed 
Lemonade & Tamarind water to be kept made and served to the Wounded. 



CRUISE OF THE U. S. BRIG ARGUS IX 1813 23 

August 16th Monday arrived at Plymouth 
Capt Allen — Morn — No feyer — has had some slight spasms in the stump 

on \yhich account an anodyne \yas occasionally administered — He 

has been for some time troubled \yith a dyspeptic complaint \yhich is 
peculiarly disagreeable in his present state H. Mist Salina \yith rather 
an excess of the alkali. 

Eve — an exudation of the thinner parts of the blood now begins to appear 
thro' the dressings — stump as easy as can be expected — Enjoined a 
light diet — Chicken broath, Panada &c — Administe[re]d a purg. but it 
\yas not retained. 

Colin McLeod — Thigh but little swelled. No febrile action in his pulse — 
He is in the best of spirits. 

M"" White — Morn — Rested considerably last night in consequence of the 
anodyne — Some oozing from the posterior orifice — Is extremely weak 
& is troubled with spasmodic twitches — Gave him wine & water as drink 
— Soup occasionally. 

Eye — very restless — delirium — Gave him a large anodyne which 
was repeated in the night with no good effect. 

Joseph Jordan — Died this morning. 

John Young — His Breast easy — arm painfull apparently in consequence 
of the swelling which has taken place — Loosened the Bandage — Pulse 
frequent and rather hard — Directed Sulph Sod — and an anodyne at 
night — Eve. A poultice was directed 

Francis Eggert — this morning H. Sulph. Sod. Is easier — but the leg is 
still excessiyely swelled — Cap pil opii g"" i 4*^ quaq hor. — Contin[.] the 
lotion — H. mist Salin. f)viii adde Tart Emet g' ii cap lact mag 2 quaq hor. 

John Nugent — Is easier than could have been expected Has some fever to 
day — H mist Salin cum Tart Emet. 

Charles Baxter — Considerable oozing yet from the ancle Pulse frequent — 
Contin[.] mist Salin. 

Ja^ Kellam — Has some fever to day — Complains much of soreness — Di- 
rected a cataplas^ni]. 

W"" Herington — The same — Contin. the apphcation. 

Ja' Hall — Eye a little sore — No complaint. 

Our wounded are in a distressed condition. The riotous behaviour of 

the captors is such that they have no rest whatever and are freciuently trodden 

upon and bruisd by them. 

Directed to day thin Chicken broth to be served out to them with their 

light Nourishment. 



24 THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY 

August 17*'' Tuesday Plymouth 
The wounded and sick Seamen were this morning carried to the hospital 
— M"" Hudson attended them thither — I request'd him to enquire what ac- 
commodation he could find for the captain at the Town as the noise & tumult 
on board is very disagreeable. 

Cap* Allen — Stump in a good state — but little soreness — but has some 
fever this morning — Took an anodyne last night — dosed at times — the 
sickness of stomach & vomiting continues — He takes the Saline mist 
occasionally — but without relief — He is allowed wine in his drink — 
Diet Chicken broath — Panada &'^ — Injected a Cathartic enema. 

This afternoon I obtained permission to go to town for the purpose of hiring 
private lodgings for the Captain. On return found him worse. \^omit- 
ing more frequent. Pulse w'eak and frequent — Skin cold — now & 
then troubled with Hiccup — ]\Iind, at times, wandering — false vision 

— Directed 5^ a wine glass full of Wine every hour — Ether & Tinct of 
Opii occasionally for the hiccup which did not often after recur — Lime 
water & milk was administ[er]ed as an anti emitic but with little relief. 
Soda water was also occasionally given — Applied hot fomentations to 
the region of the stomach with anodyne linime[n]t. 

August IS*'' Wednesday 

Cap* Allen — Passed a very restless night — vomiting continues, altho' wine 
& occasional anodynes seemed to relieve it. 

This morning I dressed the Stump assisted by the Surgeon of the 
San Salvadore ''° Flag Ship. Found the incision united but a little at the 
inner angle — Surface flabby Discharge thin, sanious — Whole appear- 
ance exhibiting a want of action in the parts. 

On consultation with the Surgeon of the Flag Ship and, with D'' Magrath 
of the Mill Prison Hospital, it was agreed to have him removed thither 

— Af Denison, AP Hudson. & myself were to be favoured with the 
liberty of remaining with him untill the event of his case was determined. 

— The disagreeable condition of the vessel. — his danger, and the emi- 
nent medical assistance at the Hospital concur in inducing us to adopt this 
plan. 

11 A AI Cap* Nash of the San Salvador, sent his launch with a large cot slung 
in it. 



■"• The Salvador del Mundo. at Plymouth, the ship on which "nine of the Argus's crew, strongly 
suspected of being Englishmen," had been sent "for examination." — London Times, .\ugust 31, 1813. 



CRUISE OF THE U. S. BRIG ARGUS IX 1813 25 

12 M Arrived at the Hospital and found a neat & commodious apartment 
ready — on arrival he complained of languor & appeared somewhat fa- 
tigued — a glass of wine reviv'd him — vomiting continues — By the 
direction of D"" INIagrath a mist Ether & laud with an Infusion of P 
Peruv. was given him & a Liniment composed of Camph, opium and 
oil was nibbed on the Epigrastric region, but without effect — Skin moist 
& cold — A blister was applied to the stomach and bottles of warm water 
to his foot — Abdomen humid — Has had no passage from his bowels, 
except 2 evacuations yesterday, in consequence of the Enema D"" Magrath 
advised a purg — Cal. et P Rhei was given in balm — It was soon after- 
ward rejected. 

9 P.M.--— Pulse feeble, frequent, interrupted, skin covered with a clammy 
moisture — \'omiting continues unabated notwithstanding the use of 
anti Emetic remedies. — Since last report has taken Alkali & lime juice 
administered seperately — is now using Soda Water supersaturated with 
Carb. Acid Gas. — He is extremely restless, desireing often to have 
his position altered — Comatose Delirium with startings — subsultus 
tendinum. 

1 1 oClk P U. He died. 

To the time of Cap' Allen's death, D"" Magrath & his assistant AP 
Allan remain'd with us and afforded every assistance possible. 
[Xo entry made August 19-20.] 

August 21*' Saturday — Mill Prison 

Attended the funeral of Cap' Allen with M"" Denison M' Hudson & 
AP Snelson "*^ as Mourners. 



" Robert L. Snelson was commissioned a midshipman on January 1, 1812. The other names have not 
been identified. 



Printed at The New York Public Library 



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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



011 896 231 A 




